One of the biggest victories by a coalition of environmental, climate justice, indigenous and community groups against Big Oil in California took place this June when the oil industry withdrew their deceptive referendum to overturn health and safety protections around oil and gas wells.
“Big Oil wasted nearly $61 million trying to fool Californians and overturn our law at the expense of community health. They failed,” reported the Last Chance Alliance.
“That means no new toxic oil drilling in California neighborhoods, and stronger safety requirements for existing drilling,” the alliance stated.
The alliance continued, “Countless California kids will grow up healthier and breathe cleaner air thanks to this law. Frontline communities are one step closer to environmental justice and healthy neighborhoods. And Big Oil has gotten the message: Californians are united against their toxic agenda.
“This is a historic victory for our movement. There’s still more work to be done to clean up Big Oil’s toxic legacy and keep our communities and families safe, but for now, join us in celebrating this monumental victory.
“Thank you to every activist, community leader, organization, and individual who contributed over the years. It all paid off. It is because of you that California is one step closer to safer, healthier neighborhoods.”
Go here for more information: click.actionnetwork.org/…
Here’s the lyrics to the song about this big struggle I wrote 2 years ago that we performed in a bunch of demonstrations, rallies and events:
Big Oil Blues (key of Em)
Earth’s heating up now and we all know why (2x)
Fossil fuels keep on warming up our sky
In our “green” state oil wells keep pumping on (2x)
Day and night, from the sunset to the dawn
Chorus:
We got the Big Oil Blues (3x)
Got to shut them down or everyone’s gonna lose
Politicians take their millions from Big Oil (2x)
That’s why oil waste is stinking up the soil.
Offshore rigs keep drilling off our seas (2x)
Where leaks and spills kills birds and fish species
Chorus:
We got the Big Oil Blues (3x)
Got to shut them down or everyone’s gonna lose
Fish are dying now on our rivers and our bays (2x)
There’s new algae blooms and fish kills every day
As profits soar by billions every year
Oil honchos don’t care if millions die in fear
Chorus:
We got the Big Oil Blues (3x)
Got to shut them down or everyone’s gonna lose
Of finally we passed a setbacks bill (2x)
But carbon capture was Big Oil’s poison pill
As we keep broiling in the record heat (2x)
We got to fight for the earth that lies beneath our feet!
Chorus:
We got the Big Oil Blues (3x)
Got to shut them down or everyone’s gonna lose
